Music industry fights dirty to ban cacheing

Propaganda sent out to Euro MPs

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Lobbyists from the music industry are sending out half-baked propaganda to European politicians in an attempt to influence a key vote on cacheing. The Register has received a leaked copy of a letter sent by The International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) to MEPs, which warns of the consequences to the music industry in Europe if cacheing isn't outlawed. ICMP is "particularly concerned about the misconception that access providers are 'mere conduits' of information. In reality, access providers can and do monitor the passage of information through networks, and are always more than 'mere conduits'." Really, well that's news to most ISPs. The letter continues: "To remove any liability from these operators is to risk creating a preferred piracy zone in which a few unscrupulous operators, known for ignoring the passage of infringed works through their networks, will attract pirates." Jenny Vacher-Desvernais, the head of the ICMP and the author of this unashamed piece of scaremongering, was unavailable for comment. However, if you want to see that letter in full, click here. ®